There are hundreds upon thousands of ab workouts out there. But not many are effective. Here are 5 steps you need to take to make the most of your ab workouts:

Step #1: Stop Doing Stuff that Doesn’t Work

The definition of insanity is doing the same stuff over and over and expecting different results. If you’ve been doing crunches and situps for a long time and still have not achieved the results you’d like, well…stop doing them.

The truth is that crunches and situps don’t work. All they do is give you a bad lower back.

Step #2: Beginners should avoid Crunches and Situps

If you’re a complete beginner, you should definetely avoid crunches and situps. Fat provides you with resistance, meaning that you’re essentially doing resistance training while crunching with your own bodyweight.

However, because your lower back and abs are so week, the movement causes lower back and neck pain. So it actually does more harm then good. You’re better off starting with Craig Ballantyne’s Beginner Total Torso program.

Here is a sample beginner workout from Craig:

Click here to learn more about the Total Torso program.

Step #3: Perform Movements that make your abs “POP OUT”

Lots of people are able to lose fat with high intensity training, interval workouts, and a proper diet. However, they still can’t see their abs clearly. Make them POP OUT by performing movements that stabilize your abs.

Here’s a sample of what I’m talking about:

Craig has put out a great set of 19 DVD’s just to help you make your abs POP OUT. Click here for more information.

Step #4: Crunches get Less Effective as you get Leaner

JUST in case you’re still doing crunches….stop! You may not throw out your lower back because you’re must stronger now, but you ARE wasting your time. As you get stronger, doing the same thing, even at a high repetitions, is ineffective.

Instead, focus on adding in more difficult movements such as the ones presented above. Once again, here’s the link tolearn more about Craig’s TT Abs DVDs.

Step #5: Interval Training is BEST for Abs

I hope you’ve included some sort of interval training method as part of your abdominal training plan. Interval training is the best form of cardio to help you drop fat and get lean. There are tons of ways to perform interval cardio.

Click here for 7 of my favorite Interval Cardio methods.

Tags: ab workouts, craig ballantyne, effective ab, turbulence training, workouts home